Multiple rounds of strong to severe storm chances Friday afternoon and evening could threaten Chicago-area fireworks shows, with hail, heavy downpours and winds as high as 60 mph possible.
The rain chances come after storms Thursday brought lightning, flash flooding and heavy downpours to parts of the Chicago area, leading to some Fourth of July holiday events canceled due to “dangerous weather conditions.”
According to the NBC 5 Storm Team, Friday’s storm chances start later in the day, with most of the area expected to be dry in morning and afternoon. Starting about 4 p.m., showers and storms will start to bubble up, NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Claudia Olech said, and “they could pack a little of a punch.”
(?1/3) Periods of scattered thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and then again overnight. A few storms could be strong to severe with damaging winds and heavy downpours the main threats. Here is an approximate timing for storms this afternoon! #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/UteOsqrOqp
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) July 3, 2026That round will last through Friday evening, Olech said. Some rain chances were still in the forecast by 9 p.m., potentially putting a damper on dozens of fireworks shows across the city and suburbs.
“There is some uncertainty if all of this will be out of the area by the time we want to watch those fireworks,” Olech said.
As part of Friday’s storm forecast, the Storm Prediction Center has placed the Chicago area under a “slight” risk of severe weather, which ranks as level two of five. Any storms that do develop will be damaging wind gusts, hail and heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding, Olech said.
More activity was expected overnight and into early Saturday, though dry time was expected in the morning. By early afternoon, another system could roll in, Olech said, between about 12 and 4 p.m.
“There could be stronger wind gusts south of I-80,” Olech said. “But we could end up dry for that evening’s fireworks show.”
Temperatures Friday will remain hot, humid and muggy, with highs in the low 90s and temperatures feeling close to 100. Further south, heat indices could be even higher, Olech said.
By Saturday, temperatures will top out in the upper 80s, with conditions feeling around 94 degrees. By Sunday, temperatures and humidity will level out, with readings in the 80s.
“Drier and more seasonable conditions are expected to start next week,” the National Weather Service said.
(?3/3) Warm and humid conditions and chances of showers and thunderstorms will persist through at least Saturday. Though, many dry hours can be expected too. Drier and more seasonable conditions are expected to start next week. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/ip0515AAbs
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) July 3, 2026Hence then, the article about chicago forecast strong to severe storm chances could threaten friday fireworks was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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